CFL's Turning Yellow/Burnt? Safe?

J

jive

Active Member

Feb 1, 2014

• #1

hey guys just finished my first grow in a small cab, i was using 2 43W CFL's and 1 23W CFL, after cleaning out my cab I noticed the plastic part of the bulbs were turning a yellow burnt like color is this mean they could have possibly caught fire? just want to be as safe as possible i use my lights 24/7 during veg. Should i retire these bulbs or keep using? is this normal? Thanks

 

Red1966

Well-Known Member

Feb 1, 2014

• #2

Sounds like they're overheating. Do you have any air flow around them? It doesn't take much.

 

B166ER420

Well-Known Member

Feb 1, 2014

• #3

It's normalThere's not any soot or blackening is there????If so,buy new ones.Mine are yellowed and all of the printing has been light bleached off.I have some that are 2yrs old.GL

 

J

jive

Active Member

Feb 1, 2014

• #4

just a 5 inch intake small fan, and small pc for outtake at the top

 

Ilovebush

Well-Known Member

Feb 1, 2014

• #5

Some cheap CFLs are not vented...that will cause overheating as well and could undoubtedly lead to fire. GE and a few other bulbs have holes in the plastic portion which contains the circuitry...just an option you may want to consider. Definitely exhaust your space as mentioned.

 

B166ER420

Well-Known Member

Feb 1, 2014

• #6

Just noticed you said 24/7 use........replace them to safe.Just curious which bulbs are in question,the 42w or the 23??I think the higher watt ones run hotter.

 

B166ER420

Well-Known Member

Feb 1, 2014

• #7

Like red said you need a fan blowing on your bulbs....it helps.peace

 

J

jive

Active Member

Feb 1, 2014

• #8

thanks for the quick replys guys, its all the bulbs both 43s and the 23 and I normaly run a 247 for veg yes, fan was not on the bulbs for the whole grow last time, but i didnt veg with the 2 43s last time so they were only on 12 12

 

Red1966

Well-Known Member

Feb 1, 2014

• #9

It's usually the light fixture that causes the problem. Some of them trap the heat.